Choirs Ontario gratefully acknowledges the generous assistance of the Ontario Arts Council and the University of Ottawa
The Ontario Youth Choir, founded by Choirs Ontario in 1971, provides a unique opportunity for young singers from across Ontario to work with some of Canada's outstanding choral leaders. Every summer 40 talented young singers audition to take part in an exciting programme of rehearsals, masterclasses and voice lessons. The choristers are challenged with the finest choral repertoire while enjoying the camaraderie of talented colleagues. This year the choir members of OYC 2007 will spend ten memorable days together under the inspired leadership of conductor Robert Cooper on the historic campus of the University of Ottawa in the heart of our nation's capital before travelling to Kingston and Toronto for two final performances. OYC is an unforgettable experience; friendship and fun for the singers, and extraordinary training with skilled professionals. There are now over 1,300 OYC alumni who continue to enrich their communities as choristers, conductors, accompanists, composers, educators and soloists.
This year, OYC returns to the beautiful campus at the University of Ottawa, and will enjoy activities in and around our scenic National Capital from Friday, August 17th to Sunday, August 26th. Concerts are planned for Ottawa (August 24), Kingston (August 25), and Toronto (August 26).
THE COMMITMENT
OYC 2007 receives strong support from the members of Choirs Ontario and the Ontario Arts Council. Each singer's responsibilities include learning the music received before arriving in Ottawa and working with others to make the OYC experience a valuable one for all. The fee of $525.00 includes accommodation, meals, lessons, and masterclasses. Choristers are responsible for their travel costs to and from OYC.
THE AUDITION
Auditions will be held in the spring in various cities. To apply for an audition, complete the attached form and send it, an outline of your musical background, a letter of recommendation and the audition fee of $40 to the Choirs Ontario office by February 15, 2007. You will receive a letter or e-mail with the location and time of your audition.
Please prepare two contrasting solos and bring three copies of each. Ear and sight-reading tests will be administered and an accompanist provided.
Live auditions are preferable, but recorded auditions (on CD) will be allowed in special circumstances. Please contact the Choirs Ontario office if you wish to audition by submitting a CD.
Acceptance letters will be mailed in April 2007.
THE ARTISTIC STAFF
ROBERT COOPER, Conductor
One of Canada's leading conductors, Robert Cooper is currently Artistic Director of the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, Chorus Niagara, and the Opera in Concert Chorus, and teaches at the University of Toronto. A superb choral trainer, Mr. Cooper led the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir for twenty-two years, and is a former conductor of the Ontario Youth Choir. He conducted the National Youth Choir of Canada and made his Carnegie Hall debut in a Celebration of Canadian Choral Music. In addition to his work with choirs, Mr. Cooper has conducted opera companies across Canada, and is a jury member for the international choral competition "Let the Peoples Sing".
Robert Cooper is active in choral associations, and brings fine choral music to all of Canada as Executive Producer, Opera and Choral Music, for CBC Radio Two. In June 2003 Mr. Cooper received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Brock University for his significant contribution to the Canadian choral community, and is a recipient of the Order of Canada (C.M.).
EDWARD MORONEY, Chorus Accompanist
Edward Moroney, one of Canada's foremost musicians, is an active organist, choirmaster, accompanist and music educator. Mr. Moroney was the founding accompanist of the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus, and has worked with the Canadian Opera Company, the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir and the Bell'Arte Singers. He has been the organist and choirmaster at St. Andrew's Anglican Church since 1998, and currently accompanies the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, the Riverdale Youth Singers and the University of Toronto Women's Chorus. Mr. Moroney has also been the accompanist for the Opera in Concert Chorus since 1986.
Edward Moroney holds degrees in Composition and Vocal Music Education from the University of Toronto, where he studied with John Beckwith, Derek Holman and Oskar Morawetz. In 1973 he was awarded the Leslie Bell Choral Conducting Scholarship and, in 2002, received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.
SANDRA GRAHAM, Vocal Coach
Mezzo-soprano Sandra Graham has established a world-wide reputation for thrilling performances and has performed and recorded with Helmut Rilling, Charles Dutoit, and Sir Andrew Davis. A top prize winner in international competitions, since 1992 Miss Graham has been a guest artist with the Staatstheater in Stuttgart, Germany, most recently singing in the world premiere of Pastorale. In 2007 she will be featured in a BRAVO! documentary about the Incontro Chamber Music Festival in Southern Italy. Miss Graham, an OYC alumna, teaches voice and opera at the University of Ottawa.
INGEMAR KORJUS, Vocal Coach
Bass-baritone Ingemar Korjus is the winner of numerous national and international competitions and has been heard in recital and oratorio in Europe, the United States, and across Canada. A jury member for the Canada and Ontario Arts Councils, as well as a popular adjudicator at festivals, he has given classes in China and Estonia, at the Glenn Gould Professional School in Toronto and at the Juilliard School in New York City. Formerly chair of the Department of Music and co-artistic director of the Opera Lyra Young Artists Program, Mr. Korjus is presently head of the University of Ottawa's vocal program.
THE APPLICATION FORM
The application form for the Ontario Youth Choir's 2007 season can be downloaded from the web here. Please note that the application deadline is February 15, 2007. For more information, contact Choirs Ontario.
Please click here to see OYC 2006!
